Editorial

Aaron Judge Re-Signs With The New York Yankees On 9-Year, $360 Million Deal

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Andrew Powell Sports and Entertainment Blogger
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Aaron Judge is staying with the pinstripes, and I don’t blame him one bit.

The New York Yankees and Aaron Judge have agreed on a nine-year, $360 million deal that removes the top free agent in this offseason’s class from the market, according to MLB Network Insider Jon Morosi and confirmed by ESPN.

The 30-year-old Judge landed into free agency after having one of the best seasons in the history of baseball, hitting 62 home runs — which is a record in the American League, breaking the record of Roger Maris set in 1961. In the 2022 campaign, Judge also led the AL with 131 RBIs and recorded a hitting line of .311/.425/.686, going on to win his first MVP award.

Before the beginning of the season earlier this year, the Yankees and Judge made an attempt on a contract extension, but talks fell apart. Brian Cashman later revealed that the previous extension offer was for seven years, $213.5 million.

If you’re Aaron Judge, where else was there to go?

You’re already in what’s considered the mecca of sports, New York City, and you’re already treated like royalty. And now, you’re getting paid $40 million per year to live there and play baseball, not to mention the other millions that he’ll make (and surely already has made) from endorsements and other opportunities. (RELATED: Philadelphia Phillies Continue Spending Spree By Stealing Taijuan Walker Away From The Mets For 4 Years, $72 Million)

It’s like when LeBron James went to the Lakers to be in Los Angeles. He knew what he was doing, and it’s now showing with the millions of commercials and movies that he’s in, as well as other projects. It’ll be even better for Judge though, because he’s already being viewed as a legendary New York Yankee. He’ll grow even more iconic with their brand as time goes along. Judge will end up being a life-long Yankee, and that spells an incredibly large status with massive amounts of wealth coming from it — both while playing and post-retirement.

On top of that, you get to wear those sexy pinstripes with that gorgeous ‘NY’ logo.

I would have signed the dotted line too.